Overthrown - The Aftermath - Pt. 32
Anna followed The Major, as he entered the general store. Bob looked up and said, "Welcome home Major. I wish it was under better circumstances."
"Alex was a little short on details. I thought the Russian force in Montana was in a full retreat."
"They are. A route actually, but somehow, they are making major advances in the east, according to the radio."
"Where are they, and where are they headed?"
"Near as we can tell, they started moving southeast from somewhere near Fargo, North Dakota. They seem to be headed to the Mississippi River. Best information we have puts them on the move, going down I-10 headed towards the former city of Brainerd. Any idea why they'd do that?"
"It makes sense. They could kill two birds with one stone. The northern part of the state would be trapped between the Russian army, and the Canadian boarder. Secondly, if they make it to the river, they have a passageway right through the middle of the country. I'm sure you remember the Mexican and Cuban forces were trying to come up the river. At that time, the Russians were stopped cold in the Dakotas. Now they've finally made it, and they still have the force to make it to the gulf. If they can do that, the country is done for."
"Let me guess. The people in the mountains on the eastern side of the country will be between two armies. Meaning they will have to retreat, in order to avoid capture or death. Do you think the Russians still have enough of a force to accomplish something like that?"
"Depends on what kind of forces have been brought in, and how many of them there are. Not to mention that by now, the Cubans and Mexico have had enough time to rebuild the forces they lost. They won't be as experienced, but they will be just as numerous, or nearly so. While we haven't been able to train any more soldiers. I don't count the ones that went to Fort Carson. They have most likely been deployed by now, filling up the gaps in the line with warm bodies if nothing else."
"It sounds like you believe they could take everything east of the Mississippi."
"As much as it hurts me to say it, yes I do." "What do you think would be our best course of action for the future?"
"Right now, all I can think of is to pray from a miracle."
Director Ives was now starting to feel better. The Russian forces had at long last broken through the American lines. His first objective was to get them to the Mississippi River. Once there, re-enforcements would come down through what used to be the Great Lakes, And into the river. Before the New Madrid earthquake that had proven to be the undoing of Claire, That wouldn't have been possible. Then have them advance on both sides of the river. Once they reached the area near the former city of Dubuque, Iowa, then instead of striking into the center of the country, they would move towards the east. At that point, the American forces in the northern Appalachian Mountains would have no choice but to retreat to the south. That would put the entire northeastern part of the country in his hands.
The master would be pleased with that, and perhaps, he would finally prove not only his worth to him, but also the fact that he should have been put in charge of the destruction of this country from the start. The only real problem he had was getting across the river. Every bridge that had once crossed the river was either gone, or totally useless, being actually in the river due to changes in the landscape because of the quake.
Still, he could deal with that later. Right now it was most important that the next set of orders out.
Once the Russian forces had reached a point just east of Moorhead, they followed Ives orders and divided themselves into to prongs. One of them headed east for Detroit Lakes, while the other moved southeast towards Fergus Falls. Between them, they had continuous heavy patrols, in force. It gave the appearance of being a much larger force. Because of that, the military and civilian population had no choice but to leave before they arrived. The Russians were not taking any chances. At the first sign of any resistance they simply crushed it. Even a dog barking at them in the street was shot on sight.
They made advances exceeding even their hopes, after the fierce fighting they had been encountering from the beginning. On the first day of the advance, they had managed to make almost thirty miles from Moorhead. By the end of the second day, they had not only reached the lakes located between Detroit Lakes and Fergus Falls, they had nearly encircled them. Noon on the third day, had the two prongs of the attack once again sending patrols between them and the advance continued, unopposed.
It was at this time, Director Ives had the answer to his problem. On the Canadian side of the boarder, there were many cargo transports that hadn't been damaged in the quake. Many of these were flat bottomed vessels with powerful engines, or just barges. The flat bottom was important. They could make it through the areas that had remained flooded after the quake. These areas had many obstacles just under the surface of the water. Soon, the men sent to join their comrades were on their way downriver.
The men on the boats stayed close to the western shore, and avoided any small arms fire from the eastern bank that they could. They still took casualties, but the number of them was quite small. It was near noon on the fifth day, when the two forces met. With fresh men coming down from Canada, both through North Dakota, and down the river, the corridor they had cut through Minnesota remained open, and the land occupied.
Americans north of that line, in Minnesota and Wisconsin, were panicked to get out. Some tried to sneak though the Russian line. Some made it. Most died in the attempt. Some tried to run south, and beat the Russian advance. Many either waited to long to leave, or underestimated how long it would take on foot, and were trapped behind the line. Others took to the waters of the Lake Michigan, trying to reach the state of Michigan. Again, some made it, by crossing at night, without the aid of lights, and following the stars. However, many were caught in the attempt. Most of them were turned back by Russian patrol boats. If someone in any of the escaping boats were foolish enough to open fire on the Russians, the boat they were in, and any nearby, were immediately sunk and the survivors were shot in the water.
The real tragedy came when they started to reach the shore in large numbers. Their fellow Americans, being short on food and other necessities themselves, would turn them away. Any who failed to leave peaceably were forced at gunpoint, or shot if they refused to leave.
Director Ives was becoming more and more like his old self as the advance continued. He was cheerful, and could often be heard laughing while he sat in his office. Even his secretary was no longer afraid to get near him. When he got the report of Americans shooting each other, he became bold enough to request a meeting with the messenger of the master.
"Why do you summon me?" He asked when he arrived.
"I wanted you to inform the master of the success I have achieved in the plan. The destruction on this country can only be a short time away."
"Fool. Don't you think the master keeps his eye on all of us? He knows of your recent gains. He also thinks that what you are doing now, should have been done long ago. You are fortunate. He has shown patience with you. Mainly because you have made some progress. But after what happened in Montana, he nearly replaced you. This advance is all that kept him from it. And don't be so confident in yourself. The Nazarene defeated you once, only using these monkeys. Imagine what will happen if He lends a direct hand in this." Somewhat subdued by the messengers words, Ives spoke again.
"Of course, you are right. I should have remembered the master watches over us all. Forgive my rashness. It was simply my happiness over making progress towards putting him on his throne."
"Never send for me again. When the master wants you to know something, I'll be back."
After the messenger had left, Ives decided that the next phase of the operation needed to be started. He issued orders that all Russian forces not currently engaged against the enemy in the Appalachians were to withdraw to the coastal areas for re-suppy, and
re-arming, before they would exploit breaches in the lines created by the forces coming in from the west. Once that was done, they would move to the north, and take control of any areas not yet under his control. And there was no need to take prisoners.
He smiled broadly as he thought of the coming slaughter. Let that Nazarene stop him now. There wasn't anything He could do about it. His men would be in complete control of the entire northeast within two to three weeks.
It had long been the habit of Bob, Maria, Tim, Kathy, Alex, Michelle, and Major Ferguson to get together every week to ten days, just to talk about things. On this occasion, Anna had also joined them.
Maria looked at Bob, and with a gleam in her eye asked.
"So, Bob. What's the matter with you? Aren't I enough woman for you?"
Bob choked on his coffee, sputtered a moment, and asked,
"Maria, what in Heavens name are you talking about?" Maria chuckled and said, "Oh, it's Mrs. Molton. Since you allowed Anna to stay, that woman has had nothing nice to say about you, me, or Anna. Not to mention that women outnumber men around here, by almost two to one. I think she believes you're starting some sort of sexual retreat for the men."
"Well, as you know, it wasn't just me. There were four people on the panel that made the choice. And we all agreed. How she can blame just me, I don't know."
"That's easy." Said Anna. "You're the one that tossed her out, so naturally it is all your fault."
"Talk about circular logic. Some people I'll never understand. I wonder what she is going to say when the numbers get to seven to one."
"Seven to one?" Tim asked.
"Sure. Remember what is written in Isaiah?
Isa 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.
Which brings up a couple of other things. Major, I'd like it if you could start selecting women you feel are suitable for combat training. Michelle, you are the martial artist, I'd like you to begin working out how to teach everyone in that group what you know."
"Bob, I'm not exactly in the condition to be teaching that kind of thing right now."
"I know, but you won't be pregnant forever. After the baby comes, and you've had a chance to recover, I think it wise to begin such training."
"Why is that, Bob?" Kathy wanted to know.
"I'll take that one." Ferguson said. He looked Kathy in the eye, and seriously said, "Kathy, women will outnumber men seven to one. The Bible says it, so it WILL happen. So you tell me, where did all the men go?"
"Oh. I see. You think that there is going to be more fighting around here, and while we will win, the price will be high."
"That's what the scriptures indicate to me. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd rather err on the side of caution than not. Bob it's a good idea. I'll get started on it today."
BW, Vietnam Vet